Chief sanitary doctor Gennady Onishchenko said a tough anti-smoking bill should become law despite opposition from business groups, Interfax reported on Thursday.
Restaurateurs and retailers should not be allowed to derail the bill, which many of them oppose, Onishchenko said.
The bill includes a ban on smoking in public places, a minimum price for cigarettes and restrictions on the sale of tobacco products in retail units smaller than 50 square meters.
Forty percent of Russian adults smoke, one of highest proportions in the world.
The bill is due to be debated in the Public Chamber on Nov. 2.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.